Kara Hirdman

Lots of things.

Lots of things.

I'm still meeting people and hearing what they're doing. So I'm kind of taking this huge puzzle and piecing it together so I understand who's doing what, what their focus is on. And it's really fascinating. you know, school-based clinics and seeing all the work that they're doing and then the research that's being done within our own department.

I'm still meeting people and hearing what they're doing. So I'm kind of taking this huge puzzle and piecing it together so I understand who's doing what, what their focus is on. And it's really fascinating. you know, school-based clinics and seeing all the work that they're doing and then the research that's being done within our own department.

So it's a lot of meeting individuals, trying to understand what they're already doing and then where are the gaps and then understanding that. But yeah, it's a lot of listening and also meeting with Patty and Commissioner to kind of see their direction and where their goals are as well for the actual department staff. And then taking that work that we do with in-house out to the community.

So it's a lot of meeting individuals, trying to understand what they're already doing and then where are the gaps and then understanding that. But yeah, it's a lot of listening and also meeting with Patty and Commissioner to kind of see their direction and where their goals are as well for the actual department staff. And then taking that work that we do with in-house out to the community.

I think, as Patty said, just creating more partnerships. I have a lot of individuals that I already know that are doing the work and reminding them to to become part of this. And the thing is, is when it comes to trauma and mental health and wellness, like if you're not aware of what's going on, you can't make a change.

I think, as Patty said, just creating more partnerships. I have a lot of individuals that I already know that are doing the work and reminding them to to become part of this. And the thing is, is when it comes to trauma and mental health and wellness, like if you're not aware of what's going on, you can't make a change.

And so through all the work, you know, it's, it's really important to, for us to bring education to the community and the community to also give us education on what's going on with them. And so it is a, it's, it's a, And I need to be in the community and showing face just as, as the commissioner has asked me to do.

And so through all the work, you know, it's, it's really important to, for us to bring education to the community and the community to also give us education on what's going on with them. And so it is a, it's, it's a, And I need to be in the community and showing face just as, as the commissioner has asked me to do.

And he also wants to, you know, be more engaged within the community, which I think is awesome. Um, because we can't just guess what's going on. Right. So like, like you had said in the, in, in one of your, uh, previous questions, uh, with the commissioner and what we've talked about as loneliness is huge. It's a huge issue.

And he also wants to, you know, be more engaged within the community, which I think is awesome. Um, because we can't just guess what's going on. Right. So like, like you had said in the, in, in one of your, uh, previous questions, uh, with the commissioner and what we've talked about as loneliness is huge. It's a huge issue.

And if people don't let us know what's happening, you know, and us being more aware of what's really happening, I'm so glad that you guys did that survey because I think that's really important to get that kind of information so we have a really solid understanding of what's happening. And as things change, just continue that work. You know, it's always, it's a lifelong process.

And if people don't let us know what's happening, you know, and us being more aware of what's really happening, I'm so glad that you guys did that survey because I think that's really important to get that kind of information so we have a really solid understanding of what's happening. And as things change, just continue that work. You know, it's always, it's a lifelong process.

And I hope to have lifelong relationships being built within the community and, you know, the department, because that's how you're going to create the best and most positive changes.

And I hope to have lifelong relationships being built within the community and, you know, the department, because that's how you're going to create the best and most positive changes.

Yeah, I am obviously coming from a family that has addiction within it and growing up within it and seeing it, how it affects individuals and children and family and communities. You know, it's a big deal. And the opioid crisis is huge. And as you know, that's one of the top three things

Yeah, I am obviously coming from a family that has addiction within it and growing up within it and seeing it, how it affects individuals and children and family and communities. You know, it's a big deal. And the opioid crisis is huge. And as you know, that's one of the top three things

that Commissioner Chaplin is really interested in, in working on, I think, again, you know, the, in the homelessness, which it's, it's, it's like a big bowl of spaghetti, you know, it all kind of intertwines with trauma, creating addictions and, and then also homelessness and, and again, coming back to the relationships and the community and, And how do we support each other?

that Commissioner Chaplin is really interested in, in working on, I think, again, you know, the, in the homelessness, which it's, it's, it's like a big bowl of spaghetti, you know, it all kind of intertwines with trauma, creating addictions and, and then also homelessness and, and again, coming back to the relationships and the community and, And how do we support each other?

I just think it's really important. I'm a peer support specialist and I've worked with individuals as, you know, I'm not in recovery myself, but with individuals from recovery. And again, the biggest thing is a support system and resources, right? You have to give people resources and the ability to find help and be able to stick with that.

I just think it's really important. I'm a peer support specialist and I've worked with individuals as, you know, I'm not in recovery myself, but with individuals from recovery. And again, the biggest thing is a support system and resources, right? You have to give people resources and the ability to find help and be able to stick with that.

And that's one thing that we also want to really work on is creating those resources for the community. And that has started, it's on the website. But again, for those individuals that may not have a computer at home or a phone, figuring out ways in which to bring that information to the community. And for those that speak other languages, again, very important to do that so that they have access

And that's one thing that we also want to really work on is creating those resources for the community. And that has started, it's on the website. But again, for those individuals that may not have a computer at home or a phone, figuring out ways in which to bring that information to the community. And for those that speak other languages, again, very important to do that so that they have access

to that information and those resources.

to that information and those resources.

Whoa. Well, I do think a lot of trauma stems from childhood through all the, all the research and ACEs is acute childhood experiences are extremely important to pay attention to. I do. I don't think that here in Minnesota, in the city, in the U S in the entire world, we don't take care of our kids enough. And I don't think we pay attention to them enough.

Whoa. Well, I do think a lot of trauma stems from childhood through all the, all the research and ACEs is acute childhood experiences are extremely important to pay attention to. I do. I don't think that here in Minnesota, in the city, in the U S in the entire world, we don't take care of our kids enough. And I don't think we pay attention to them enough.

I did a school visit and, and, you know, seeing what the kids are going through. hearing the stories, knowing what they go home to every day, right? And things that happen in our childhood affect us through our whole lives if we're not aware of it and we don't work and deal with it. All the women I met in prison, I'm telling you, they're wonderful people.

I did a school visit and, and, you know, seeing what the kids are going through. hearing the stories, knowing what they go home to every day, right? And things that happen in our childhood affect us through our whole lives if we're not aware of it and we don't work and deal with it. All the women I met in prison, I'm telling you, they're wonderful people.

They just have gone through some horrendous experiences. A lot of them as children, some of them as adults, right? But if you can't, understand and become aware of what's going on, you're going to continue that cycle, right? Continue the cycle.

They just have gone through some horrendous experiences. A lot of them as children, some of them as adults, right? But if you can't, understand and become aware of what's going on, you're going to continue that cycle, right? Continue the cycle.

You know, for those people that are listening and the community members and, you know, there's so many struggles in life, but I think helping people see the positive things within themselves and having optimism that even though things are really hard, we are trying really as well to help

You know, for those people that are listening and the community members and, you know, there's so many struggles in life, but I think helping people see the positive things within themselves and having optimism that even though things are really hard, we are trying really as well to help

It may not be perfect, but like in my job, I'm just going to learn continually, but I want to be there and be present for community as well as the department. And so I want to be a resource for people. And I hope that the community feels that way because I think it's extremely important. If you don't have your health, in my opinion, you don't really have much. So.

It may not be perfect, but like in my job, I'm just going to learn continually, but I want to be there and be present for community as well as the department. And so I want to be a resource for people. And I hope that the community feels that way because I think it's extremely important. If you don't have your health, in my opinion, you don't really have much. So.

Yeah, well, OK, so I. posed myself as a lifelong learner, which I think is very important when it pertains to trauma and mental well-being because we're constantly learning new stuff.

Yeah, well, OK, so I. posed myself as a lifelong learner, which I think is very important when it pertains to trauma and mental well-being because we're constantly learning new stuff.

Growing up in a family with public service workers and addiction within my own family and my own personal understanding of trauma, that actually kicked off my interest in an undergrad in psychology, a master's in family education. I'm currently enrolled in a doctorate Educational Leadership and Learning Program. I've lived in three countries, all in the Americas.

Growing up in a family with public service workers and addiction within my own family and my own personal understanding of trauma, that actually kicked off my interest in an undergrad in psychology, a master's in family education. I'm currently enrolled in a doctorate Educational Leadership and Learning Program. I've lived in three countries, all in the Americas.

I've worked within mental health and well-being for over 30 years, you know, in different areas with all ages. So St. Joseph's Home for Children, Alexandra House. I'm a peer support specialist. I've worked as a high school teacher in alternative high schools. As you said before, I was a director of healthy living.

I've worked within mental health and well-being for over 30 years, you know, in different areas with all ages. So St. Joseph's Home for Children, Alexandra House. I'm a peer support specialist. I've worked as a high school teacher in alternative high schools. As you said before, I was a director of healthy living.

at the YMCA and worked for the Y for many, many years, including creating a partnership with the Ramsey County Correctional Facility and bringing health and wellness to the women in prison during that time. I also was the health and wellness coordinator.

at the YMCA and worked for the Y for many, many years, including creating a partnership with the Ramsey County Correctional Facility and bringing health and wellness to the women in prison during that time. I also was the health and wellness coordinator.

All right, we lost Kira. The people around me.

All right, we lost Kira. The people around me.

Oh, no.

Oh, no.

The last 10 seconds. Sorry. Yeah. My internet connection, it says it's, it's there, but yeah, sometimes I, my Xfinity kicks out. So the work that I've previously done, you know, within nonprofit and for-profit such as Alexandra house, um, St. Joseph's Home for Children, working with all different ages, living in a couple different countries.

The last 10 seconds. Sorry. Yeah. My internet connection, it says it's, it's there, but yeah, sometimes I, my Xfinity kicks out. So the work that I've previously done, you know, within nonprofit and for-profit such as Alexandra house, um, St. Joseph's Home for Children, working with all different ages, living in a couple different countries.

As a director of healthy living at the YMCA, like I stated before, and bringing health and wellness to women in prison in a partnership, that was a phenomenal opportunity to create change, as well as working for the St. Paul Fire Department. And so,

As a director of healthy living at the YMCA, like I stated before, and bringing health and wellness to women in prison in a partnership, that was a phenomenal opportunity to create change, as well as working for the St. Paul Fire Department. And so,

All of those experiences really helped me understand, you know, individuals, health and wellness, trauma, informed care, and also continually learning and listening. So a big part right now of my position is I'm listening to the community, I'm listening to the department and the staff members, kind of seeing who's doing what, where I can help

All of those experiences really helped me understand, you know, individuals, health and wellness, trauma, informed care, and also continually learning and listening. So a big part right now of my position is I'm listening to the community, I'm listening to the department and the staff members, kind of seeing who's doing what, where I can help

bring mental health and wellness and awareness and creating and helping the department, you know, which they've already started some of that work. I'm sure Patty can discuss that, but helping them become trauma informed. So, and through all of this, I'm just really focused on right now, specifically in this first six months, really listening to what's

bring mental health and wellness and awareness and creating and helping the department, you know, which they've already started some of that work. I'm sure Patty can discuss that, but helping them become trauma informed. So, and through all of this, I'm just really focused on right now, specifically in this first six months, really listening to what's

what's going on so that I can gauge that work.

what's going on so that I can gauge that work.